Category: Human Rights

“From the smallest village to the global stage, the rule of law (ROL) is all that stands between peace and stability, and a brutal struggle for power and resources”, he said, arguing that it protects the vulnerable; prevents discrimination; bolsters trust in institutions; supports inclusive economies and societies; and is the first line of defence […]

Last week, a court in Brest, Belarus sentenced Daria Losik to two years in prison for an interview she gave about her incarcerated husband, Ihar Losik, to independent broadcaster Belsat, which Belarusian authorities have labeled extremist. The court found that by calling her husband a political prisoner and criticizing authorities in the interview, Daria “aided […]

Thulani Maseko, who was also a pro-democracy activist, was shot dead in his home in the city of Mbabane on Saturday.  Mr. Türk issued a statement condemning his murder.  ‘Stalwart of human rights’  “Thulani Maseko was a stalwart of human rights who, at great risk to himself, spoke up for many who couldn’t speak up […]

Addressing a private meeting of the Council, Roza Otunbayeva reiterated to ambassadors that Taliban decisions including the ban on girls attending high school, preventing women from going to university, and barring them from doing humanitarian work, are all “grave violations of fundamental rights”, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. He told reporters at the noon briefing […]

The hearing involving 24 volunteers and activists began on Tuesday on the Greek island of Lesvos, prompting OHCHR to warn of the “chilling effect” that it has had on other rights defenders, who’ve now halted their work in Greece and other European Union countries. Those on trial were all associated with Emergency Response Centre International, or ERCI; […]

President Joko Widodo reportedly acknowledged “gross human rights violations” during his country’s past, and expressed regret for a dozen past incidents, stretching back more than 50 years. These included the 1965-1966 anti-Communist crackdown, the 1982-1985 protester shootings, enforced disappearances in 1997 and 1998, and the Wamena Incident in Papua in 2003. “I strongly regret that […]

Percy Santos, a visually impaired college student in Honduras, recently received his digital ID card from the government. “The new ID is designed perfectly for people like me. This is a personal fulfilment. I feel better identified,” he says. Mr. Santos is one of the 5.4 million people enrolled in the new population database in […]

Addressing the opening of the 92nd session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, he stressed that its work is more vital than ever.  This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and Mr. Türk noted that the document has paved the way for rights, dignity and […]

The theme of the Council meeting briefing on Ukraine came under the “Threats to International Peace and Security” agenda item. It was requested by Russia’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia, during an earlier Council meeting on 13 January, during which Mr. Nebenzia alleged that Ukraine is attempting to “destroy” the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is […]

“We believe Mr Vandecasteele has been arbitrarily deprived of his liberty and is a victim of enforced disappearance for periods of detention,” the independent UN human rights experts said in a statement. “His right to a fair trial before an independent and impartial tribunal has been violated. These are flagrant violations of Iran’s obligations under […]